The Black Mamba is the fastest snake in the world. If that wasn’t bad enough, it’s also the longest poisonous snake in Africa, armed with a bite that is almost always fatal. It’s long been said that Kobe embodies the persona of this deadly reptile, so Nike set out to exemplify that through a new edition of his latest signature shoe. The “Pit Viper” is the first Kobe 8 release to evolve the snake aesthetic from inspiration to photo-realism. They wanted to capture the nocturnal nature of the snake with darker colors while aligning its predator instincts with the dynamic fit and traction Bryant’s kicks are already known for. The Kobe 8 “Pit Viper” is available for $140 at UBIQ on October 5th; in-store at 10AM EST and online at 11AM EST.